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Showing 29181 – 29200 of 30315 publications

The long bone histology of Ceresiosaurus (Sauropterygia, Reptilia) in comparison to other eosauropterygians from the Middle Triassic of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland/Italy)

Monte San Giorgio — 2011 — WHE68FCF87A0E

A comparative histological analysis of the long bones of Ceresiosaurus, a secondarily marine reptile from the Middle Triassic of Monte San Giorgio (Switzerland/Italy), reveals distinct interspecific differences that correlate with proposed locomotion types. Both species, Ceresiosaurus calcagnii and C. lanzi, exhibit cyclical bone growth with lamellar to parallel-fibred matrices and low to moderate vascularization, but differ in the distribution of bone matrices and vascular patterns. C. calcagnii's pachyosteosclerotic bones resemble those of the younger Neusticosaurus edwardsii, while C. lanzi shows similarities to young Nothosaurus. These findings suggest divergent growth strategies linked to distinct ecological niches within a restricted lagoonal environment, supporting earlier morphological studies that ascribed different locomotion behaviors to each species.

The management Information System of Dujiangyan Irrigation System

Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System — 2011 — WHE5C734C527A

A groundbreaking management information system (MIS) for the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (DIS), a 2,260-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been developed to preserve and utilize its hydraulic legacy. The DIS, engineered in 256 BCE by Li Bing, revolutionized water control with its interconnected Yuzui, Feishayan, and Baopingkou structures, which manage water intake, flood control, and sand drainage. This system has sustained the Chengdu plain's prosperity, earning it the title 'Land of Abundance.' The MIS leverages the DIS's hydraulic vestiges to provide a modern framework for its conservation and operational insights, marking a significant advancement in integrating historical engineering with contemporary data management.

The Manuscripts of Westminster Abbey

Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church — 2011 — WHEE477FD5368

A meticulous reconstruction of Westminster Abbey's medieval library and scriptorium, spanning 1060 to 1660, reveals surprising details about its architecture, furnishings, administrative practices, and manuscript holdings. Despite the dispersal of the original collection during the dissolution of monasteries and a devastating fire in 1694, scholars Joseph Armitage Robinson and M. R. James pieced together extensive information from surviving sources. Their work not only documents the library's operations but also traces the fate of some manuscripts that survived in other collections, offering unprecedented insight into this lost institution.

The microstratigraphy of middens: capturing daily routine in rubbish at Neolithic Çatalhöyük, Turkey

Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük — 2011 — WHEEEE499251F

Microstratigraphy reveals the selective use of plants for fuel and daily activities at Neolithic Çatalhöyük. By analyzing the detailed layers and content of middens (ancient rubbish heaps), researchers uncovered evidence of plant material choices, suggesting intentional selection based on function. This approach, combining microscopic recording with archaeological investigation, offers a novel way to reconstruct daily life and resource management in early human settlements. The study advances archaeological practices by providing finer-grained insights into past behaviors from organic waste.

The Museum of Maria Skłodowska-Curie in Warsaw

Historic Centre of Warsaw — 2011 — WHE0CEB6DE0CE

The Museum of Maria Skłodowska-Curie in Warsaw, located at 16 Freta St., stands as a testament to the city's historical and scientific heritage. Situated between the Old Town and New Town, it reflects Warsaw's evolution from a bustling 17th-century trade hub to its current status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum commemorates Maria Skłodowska-Curie, a pioneering scientist whose groundbreaking work in radioactivity earned her two Nobel Prizes. Freta St., once teeming with craftsmen and merchants like shoemakers and tailors, now serves as a reminder of Warsaw's rich history, including its resilience during World War II. The museum's strategic placement near landmarks such as the Barbican (constructed in 1548) and the New Town Marketplace underscores its significance within the city's cultural and scientific landscape.

The New Incubators

Aalto Works — 2011 — WHE09F7BD4437

Otaniemi, Finland, emerges as a global hub of innovation, blending technology, sustainability, and social inclusion. This study highlights Otaniemi's unique role in fostering creativity through strategic investments in education, research, and infrastructure, particularly in IT, energy, and biotechnology. The Finnish model combines innovation-driven competitiveness with social welfare, ensuring equitable access to education and healthcare while maintaining a high standard of living. The research underscores the importance of collaborative environments—such as Aalto University's Design Factory and Venture Garage—that bridge academia and industry, attracting global talent. It also proposes reforms to enhance Otaniemi's creative potential, including sustainable transportation and interactive public spaces, to address global challenges like climate change and resource depletion.

The Ngorongoro Crater as the biggest geotouristic attraction of the Gregory Rift (Northern Tanzania, Africa) – geographical setting

Ngorongoro Conservation Area — 2011 — WHEBDC64910CE

The Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcanic caldera in Tanzania, stands out as the largest intact unflooded caldera on Earth, covering nearly 300 km² with walls rising 400–610 meters above its floor. Its unique natural richness and biodiversity stem from favorable weather and hydrological conditions, including diverse water sources like springs, rivers, marshes, and reservoirs—both fresh and salty. This ecological diversity supports a wide range of East African flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. Additionally, the presence of the Maasai people adds cultural significance to the site. Established as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in 1959 and later inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, this study focuses on the crater's geographical setting, encompassing its morphology, hydrology, climate, wildlife, and indigenous population.

The Ngorongoro Crater as the biggest geotouristic attraction of the Gregory Rift (Northern Tanzania, Africa) – geotouristic valorization, touristic development and hazard

Ngorongoro Conservation Area — 2011 — WHE551A63483F

The Ngorongoro Crater, recognized as the largest intact volcanic caldera on Earth, stands out as a global geotouristic hotspot within Tanzania's Gregory Rift. Its unique combination of biodiversity, cultural significance, and geological features attracts nearly half a million visitors annually, driving rapid tourism growth. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 for its exceptional natural and cultural value, the area also encompasses other notable geotouristic attractions like Olduvai Gorge and Crater Olmoti. However, this surging tourism poses risks to both wildlife and the local environment, necessitating careful management. The study highlights the need for sustainable development strategies to balance geotourism's benefits with hazard mitigation in this fragile ecosystem.

The Omo‐Turkana Basin Fossil Hominins and Their Contribution to Our Understanding of Human Evolution in Africa

Lower Valley of the Omo — 2011 — WHE0EF67CA64F

The Omo-Turkana Basin, encompassing fossil sites around Lake Turkana and along the lower Omo River, offers critical yet provisional insights into human evolution. This review synthesizes current knowledge of hominin species found in the region, emphasizing their role in challenging existing interpretations of evolutionary patterns. The basin's fossil record is pivotal in debates about speciation models—whether evolution proceeded through cladogenesis (branching diversity) or anagenesis (linear transformation). Key focus areas include the origins and nature of Paranthropus and early Homo, highlighting the region's unique contributions despite the scarcity of fossils. While the evidence remains fragmentary, it underscores the need for caution in reconstructing hominin phylogeny, suggesting that much about our evolutionary history is still unknown.

The orchid flora of Cocos Island National Park, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Cocos Island National Park — 2011 — WHE6EC50C56E0

Cocos Island National Park, a remote oceanic island off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, hosts a diverse orchid flora comprising five species within its 24 km² area. Among these, three are endemic to the island: Epidendrum cocoense, E. insulanum, and E. jimenezii, alongside Camaridium micranthum and Ornithidium adendrobium (formerly classified under Maxillaria). The study describes these species morphologically, provides analytical illustrations, and offers a field identification key based on their characteristics. It also delves into their biogeography, ecology, taxonomy, evolution, and conservation status, contributing valuable insights to the understanding of this unique island ecosystem.

The origin and evolution of the parental magmas of frontal volcanoes in Kamchatka: Evidence from magmatic inclusions in olivine from Zhupanovsky volcano

Volcanoes of Kamchatka — 2011 — WHEF0F72BBF63

Research on Zhupanovsky volcano in Kamchatka reveals that its parental magmas originated from the melting of mantle peridotite under high pressure and temperature, influenced by a hydrous component derived from subducted slab melting. The study analyzed melt inclusions in olivine crystals to reconstruct the latest stages of magma crystallization, showing that the primary melt was a low-silica picrobasalt distinct from mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). This process involved simultaneous crystallization of multiple minerals and the segregation of sulfur-rich fluids. The findings suggest that variations in subducted slab depth beneath Kamchatka volcanoes lead to changes in the hydrous component's composition, impacting magma chemistry.

The Panama microplate, island studies and relictual species of Melipona ( Melikerria ) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection — 2011 — WHE27F0023D51

A new species of stingless bee, Melipona (Melikerria) insularis, has been discovered on Coiba and Ranchería Islands in Pacific Panama, alongside a proposed sister species, M. ambigua, from northeast Colombia. The study reveals that the poor fauna diversity on Coiba Island, including social bees, amphibians, and birds, suggests historical habitat barriers that prevented recolonization during glacial periods. Melipona insularis is identified as a relictual species isolated on accreted terranes of Coiba rainforest within the Panama microplate, with its distribution supported by phylogenetic hypotheses indicating disjunct patterns. The research also highlights the potential for taxon cycles and rafting colonies to facilitate recolonization, offering insights into the biogeographical history of Melipona bees in Central America.

The peristyle of House H1 in the ancient town at Marina el-Alamein

Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region — 2011 — WHEA88264D5B1

A two-storeyed peristyle portico, encircling the inner courtyard of House H1 in Marina el-Alamein, Egypt, has been reconstructed through detailed architectural analysis. The upper storey featured galleries leading to first-floor rooms, contributing to the house's stateliness. This design, while not unique in the Hellenistic and Roman world, stands out for its grandeur. The study compares this structure with parallels from Ptolemais and Gebel Barkal, Sudan, highlighting its significance within North African architecture.

The petroglyphes of Chichictara, Palpa, Peru: Documentation and interpretation using terrestrial laser scanning and image-based 3D modeling

Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa — 2011 — WHED889151332

A comprehensive analysis of the petroglyphs at Chichictara, Palpa, Peru, reveals striking similarities to geoglyphs from the Paracas Period (800–200 B.C.), suggesting these petroglyphs are precursors to the more famous Nasca geoglyphs created during 200 B.C.–650 A.D. The study leverages terrestrial laser scanning and image-based 3D modeling to document and interpret these understudied artifacts, providing a novel framework for understanding early Andean iconography and its evolution.

The politics of heritage and the limitations of international agency in contested cities: a study of the role of UNESCO in Jerusalem's Old City

Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls — 2011 — WHE69F762FB65

UNESCO's role as an international protector of heritage in contested cities, such as Jerusalem's Old City, is both crucial and limited. While there is a pressing need for an impartial arbiter to safeguard sacred sites and divided cultural heritage amid nationalist agendas, this study reveals significant constraints due to political sensitivities and the legal boundaries of UNESCO's mandate. Comparative case studies from Fez, Aleppo, Mostar, and Kosovo highlight the challenges and potential future directions for UNESCO in Jerusalem, emphasizing the tension between universal heritage values and politicized archaeological practices.

The politics of the environment, and noisy sports: two totally different outcomes in the Lake District National Park for powerboating and off-road motoring

The English Lake District — 2011 — WHEDB5EAB7584

A stark contrast emerges in the Lake District National Park, where off-road motoring has been successfully integrated into policy despite opposition, while powerboating faced near-total exclusion. The study reveals that off-road motoring advocates, through organized lobbying and policy engagement, persuaded the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) to adopt a structured management system, including a Hierarchy of Trail Route. Meanwhile, powerboat interests, lacking similar influence, were effectively banned from Lake Windermere by a national 10 mph speed limit imposed under environmental pressure. This divergence highlights how local policy networks and national political shifts shape outcomes for motorized recreation in protected areas, with potential implications for other UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Loch Lomond.

The population decline of the New Zealand sea lion Phocarctos hookeri: a review of possible causes

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands — 2011 — WHEA5E1DB09BC

The population of the New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri), New Zealand's only endemic pinniped, has declined significantly at the Auckland Islands since 1998, with pup production dropping by 40%—from 3021 pups in 1998 to just 1501 in 2009. This decline is primarily driven by philopatric females not returning to breeding areas, contrasting with a stable or slightly increasing population on Campbell Island. After evaluating nine potential causes—ranging from disease and predation to fisheries-related impacts—the study identifies fisheries-induced resource competition and by-catch mortality as the most plausible explanations for the Auckland Islands' decline. While other factors like bacterial epizootics were considered, their impact is unlikely given naturally high pup mortality rates. The research underscores the need for further investigation into how fisheries may be stressing sea lion populations through resource scarcity and direct mortality.

The Possibility of Site Effects: The Anjar Case, following Past Earthquakes in Gujarat, India

Anjar — 2011 — WHE883F15186A

A study on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Anjar, India, reveals significant site effects during past earthquakes in Gujarat. The research highlights that the city's topography, with its low rocky ridges and sloping areas prone to drainage, plays a crucial role in earthquake damage distribution. Observations from historical earthquakes, including the 1819 Mw 7.8 quake, show that half of Anjar suffered minimal damage due to its stable terrain, while the other half, situated on slopes leading to swamps and springs, experienced severe destruction. The study combines seismological data with geological analysis to demonstrate how local site conditions can amplify earthquake impacts, providing critical insights for seismic risk assessment in similar heritage sites.

The Potosi principle: religious prosociality fosters self-organization of larger communities under extreme natural and economic conditions

City of Potosí — 2011 — WHEE5FC1EF072

In colonial Potosí, religious rituals and miracles served as crucial mechanisms for social stability and cooperation among diverse ethnic and religious groups during periods of extreme natural and economic hardship. This study reveals that cycles of religious performance not only mitigated social upheaval but also facilitated native community participation in broader societal structures, ensuring the city's role in the Spanish empire's silver economy. The research combines traditional humanistic analysis with advanced graph modeling to map religious cycles, social networks, and historical behaviors, demonstrating religion's pivotal role in self-organization during turbulence. This multidisciplinary approach offers a robust methodology for addressing sociological, historical, and literary challenges.

The Private Sector on Public Land: Policy Implications of a SWOT Analysis of Banff National Park

Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks — 2011 — WHEBD0E844EA1

A SWOT analysis of Banff National Park reveals that the coexistence of private sector businesses and protected wilderness is not only feasible but also beneficial for nature-based tourism and local services. The study highlights key strengths, such as economic growth and job creation, while identifying challenges like regulatory constraints and sustainability concerns. It provides actionable policy recommendations to balance commercial activities with conservation goals, ensuring long-term viability for both the park's ecosystem and its economy.